What the site does
Ordering dirt is mostly arithmetic: measure the space, turn it into cubic yards, allow for compaction, then turn yards into tons and truck loads. The calculators here do that arithmetic and show the working, so you can check it and explain it to a supplier.
The guides cover the questions that come up along the way: what fill dirt is, how much a yard weighs, how much a dump truck holds, how a pool gets filled in, and which sand to buy.
Where the numbers come from
- Volumes are plain geometry: length × width × depth, 27 cubic feet to a cubic yard.
- Weights are typical loose, as-delivered figures for each material, given as “about” because real loads vary with moisture and soil type.
- Compaction and swell allowances are common rule-of-thumb ranges used for planning earthwork.
- Truck sizes are typical capacities. Actual loads depend on the truck and on legal weight limits.
We do not publish national prices. Dirt and sand are priced locally, so the cost tools work from the quote you get.
What the site is not
The calculators give estimates. They are not engineering advice, and they do not replace a supplier’s weight figure, a hauler’s load limit, a building code or an engineer’s specification. For anything structural, near water or covered by a permit, check with the people responsible for approving the work.
Corrections
If you spot a mistake or a figure that does not match your experience, please tell us through the contact page.